The Buccaneers left Week 4 with another one-score loss, and Adam Slivon’s read was blunt: Tampa Bay dropped a 17-14 decision to the Packers and fell to 0-4 in those tight games because the team simply didn’t play with enough energy or urgency to finish the job.
A big part of the problem, Slivon argued, sits with the coaching. On offense, Zac Robinson didn’t put together a proper game plan or get Tampa Bay’s playmakers into the right spots. The talent is there, but the scheme hasn’t been setting anyone up for success.
The issues carried over to the other side, too. Todd Bowles’ defense gave up only 17 points, but the same breakdowns keep showing up.
The pass rush never got to Jordan Love for a sack, even against a makeshift Green Bay offensive line. Bowles pointed to Love getting the ball out in less than 2.4 seconds, but Slivon noted that’s easier when cornerbacks are lining up 10 yards off Christian Watson and Matthew Golden.
The defense also still can’t handle the tight end position.
There were flashes from Jalon Daniels in his first NFL start. He didn’t look overwhelmed, scrambled away from sacks, and made a few clean throws, but he also had a couple of passes he’d want back, including two interceptions. Even with those mistakes, Robinson’s use of personnel continued to stand out as a problem.
Sean Tucker powered through a fourth-and-1 for a touchdown, then disappeared from the game plan. Kenny Gainwell scored a touchdown of his own but is still getting only five touches a game.
Chris Godwin Jr. has looked impressive, yet most of his targets come near the line of scrimmage. Emeka Egbuka has become an afterthought, and Ted Hurst III gets one explosive play a game before going quiet again.
After four games, Slivon said the direction is clear: this coaching staff is on the hot seat. An overhaul likely waits until the end of the season, but a blowout loss to the Cowboys on Thursday night in primetime could speed that up.
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Through the first four games, though, neither has made the kind of case that usually leads to a quick extension. Diabys pass rush production has tailed off, while Mauch has had a rough return from injury in both the run game and protection. If those trends hold, Tampa Bay could be staring at two more obvious free-agent decisions next spring, and neither one looks simple right now. [Read more 🡒]
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Buccaneers Face A Brutal Thursday Test With Early Pressure Mounting
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For Tampa Bay, the challenge is not just surviving the short week but finding enough stability to hang around against a Cowboys team that needs better defense while counting on its offense to set the tone at home. The matchup feels like a steep ask already, and the expectation around it is leaning heavily toward Dallas taking control by a wide margin. [Read more 🡒]